Question 1

What areas do your books cover?

Accepted Answer

Our first book, which is still available, "4x4 Routes of Western Montana" has routes based out of Missoula.  Our second book, also still available, "4x4 Routes of Southwestern Montana" has routes based out of Dillon, Jackson and Melrose.  Our third and newest book "4x4 Routes of Southcentral Montana" has routes based out of Cooke City, Emigrant, Independence, McAllister, Sheridan Silver Star, and Twin Bridges.

Question 2

What are the names of starting places?

Accepted Answer

For our first book:  "4x4 Routes of Western Montana" - Anaconda, Boulder, Darby, Deer Lodge, Drummond, Lakeside, Maxville, Missoula, Philipsburg, and Rock Creek in Montana, as well as Elk City, Idaho.
For our second book: "4x4 Routes of Southwestern Montana" - Dillon, Jackson and Melrose, including Argenta, Burma Road, Hecla (Greenwood, Lion and Trapper City), and Rochester.
For our third book:  "4x4 Routes of Southcentral Montana" - Cooke City, Emigrant, Big Timber, McAllister, Sheridan, Silver Star,  and Twin Bridges.

Question 3

How long are the routes?

Accepted Answer

In our first book: "4x4 Routes of Western Montana"  Much depends on your vehicle, driving speed, and how much you explore certain areas.  Generally speaking, leaving from the Missoula area all these routes can be completed in a 6 to 12 hour day, except for the Magruder Corridor.  Some of the Boulder area routes may take longer due to the pavement driving time to reach them. 
In our second book: "4x4 Routes of Southwestern Montana" Again, leaving from the main cities covered (Dillon, Jackson and Melrose) all the routes can be completed in a 6 to 12 hour day.
In our third book: "4x4 Routes of Southcentral Montana, leaving from the areas covered (Cooke City, Emigrant, Independence, McAllister, Sheridan, Silver Star, and Twin Bridges) all the routes can be completed in a 6 to 12 hour day.  
 
Many of the routes have great overnight camping places, especially at one of the lakes.

Question 4

How hard are the trips?

Accepted Answer

Generally 4x4 routes are classified from a 1 to 5 (with 5 being the hardest).  There are no Class 5 routes in our books. 
Some routes may only have short sections with Class 3 or 4 ratings.  Often, there is a bypass available. There are several routes in 4x4 Routes of Southcentral Montana that definitely are a Class 4 due to the steepness of the trail, while others in all of the books have some that have a short section of Class 4.  However, keep in mind that trails do change year to year depending on weather and usage. We do try update the information as needed.
All the routes are intended to be an enjoyable experience for the whole family.  BE SURE to get out and check a trail before proceeding if you have any doubt at all.  Generally speaking, the farther out you get on a trail, the worse it will be.

Question 5

Do I need any special equipment?

Accepted Answer

No, just a dependable four wheel drive vehicle with a low range transfer case. Be sure to read the complete description of a route to decide if your vehicle or your driving ability is up to the task.  The route classification is listed in the Contents as well as at the beginning of each route.
Traveling with another vehicle is always comforting, but we have run almost every one of these routes by ourselves.  However, we carry many extra parts and supplies and are prepared to spend the night if necessary. 
We highly recommend you carry a chain saw or at least a large bow saw, as you’ll often find fallen trees across the trails. 
Another essential is bug spray, as there may be hordes of mosquitoes at times.
Cell phone service is kind of a hit and miss situation, so don’t rely on it.    We carry an online satellite type device that can send texts or a SOS.
We recommend that you do carry a paper map and compass rather than just depending on your GPS device.  Each of the books specifies what Forest Service map covers the area.

Question 6

When is the best time of year to do these routes?

Accepted Answer

It’s not uncommon to have snow fall in every month of the year in Montana’s high country.  Generally speaking, most of the routes are not completely accessible until July 1 or later, depending on snow pack.   Most years they are inaccessible sometimes beginning in October, definitely by November, depending upon elevation. 
We think July is the best month as everything is still green and the wildflowers are in bloom. 
Expect thunderstorms in the latter part of August and into September.  Be weather aware and check the forecast in advance of your trip.  An easy way to do this is to check:
http://forecast.weather.gov/zipcity.php (http://forecast.weather.gov/zipcity.php)and enter the city or zip code you will be closest to, then click on the map to a specific area.

Question 7

Do your books include history of the areas traveled?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they do.  We spent a considerable amount of time researching history of the towns and mines along the routes.

Question 8

Are there lakes where I can fish?

Accepted Answer

There sure are, as the routes in all the books visit a multitude of lakes.  We’ve included such information as the lake’s size in acres, water depth, elevation and most important of all, the types of fish to be caught.  Just be sure to buy a fishing license from any of the sporting goods stores.  Out of state visitors can buy a two or ten day non-resident fishing license.  Be sure to pick up a fishing regulations book at the same time as there are diverse regulations for different  areas.  Take a look at http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/regulations/default.html (http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/regulations/default.html)for more information.

Question 9

Do you have favorite trails?

Accepted Answer

Not really, it all depends on what you’re looking for in the way of a challenge or a scenic trip. Please call us at 406-825-4126 if you have any questions.  Our now favorite quote from deceased marathon runner Bob Hayes of Evaro, MT:  “My favorite?  It has to be the next one!”

Question 10

Do I need to worry about bears, mountain lions, and rattlesnakes?"

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are bears and mountain lions.  Please follow US Forest Service guidelines as to camping and food storage—it’s the law! 
Keep your eyes on your children and pets at all times.
Most likely you will never see a mountain lion as they are quite reclusive.  Consider yourself fortunate if you do see one, as they are magnificent creatures.  The recommended procedure if you should encounter a mountain lion at close quarters is to make yourself as large as possible, yell and scream and act threatening, and pick up small children. 
With bears, it’s just the opposite:  if you can, quietly back away and speak in a non threatening low voice.  Don’t turn and RUN!  Most likely the bear will be more afraid of you then you are of it, unless it has cubs.  Never get between a she bear and her cubs, as she'll be very protective.   Be sure to carry bear spray and know how to use it.  If a bear charges, generally it’s just a bluff, so don’t use the spray until the bear is within about ten feet of you.  Yep, that's close!! AND really scary!
The chances of you encountering a rattlesnake are very rare, but do be watchful around old buildings, mining remains, and rocks.  Contrary to popular myth, rattlesnakes do not always rattle before they strike nor do they always inject venom.  If you should get bit, your best option is to leave the bite alone and immediately seek emergency treatment.

Question 11

Are all the routes legal?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as of printing time.  Please keep in mind that certain routes may be temporarily closed due to fires, logging operations, or wildlife management.  In some of the areas covered by the routes there are time period closures, for example September 1 through December 2.   
Remember to check with the closest Forest Service or BLM office for the most up to date information.
We do include changes and closures when we re-print a new edition of each book.  We also list these on our website and face book page.  
If you should find something that has changed, do be sure to bring it to our attention.

Question 12

Do your books have area maps?

Accepted Answer

In our first book: "4x4 Routes of Western Montana" - No, because they would be such a small scale we don’t think they would be practical, plus it would dramatically raise the price of the book.
We do recommend that you purchase a map of the Beaverhead/Deer Lodge National Forest: North section.  These are available from the National Forest store at http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/nationalforeststore/,(http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/nationalforeststore/) from local Forest Service offices, or from most sporting goods stores in Missoula, MT. 
Another great resource is 4x4trailmaps.com.(http://4x4trailmaps.com)  All but two of the routes are on the above map.
The Blacktail/Wild Bill route is on the Flathead National Forest website http://www.fs.usda.gov/flathead﻿(http://www.fs.usda.gov/flathead) while the Magrudre Corridor route is on the Nez Perce National Forest https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/nezperceclearwater/home.T(https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/nezperceclearwater/home)here is also an excellent brochure on the Magruder Corridor that is available through the Nez Perce National Forest. You can view it here.(http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm91_055707.pdf)
In our second book: "4x4 Routes of Southwestern Montana" - Yes, and they are small scale, and not really all that great...we'd like to hear your opinion on including these.
We do recommend that you purchase  maps of the Beaverhead/Deer Lodge National Forest: Central and the South sections.  The maps are available as above.  
For our third book:  "4x4 Routes of Southcentral Montana" we did not include maps, due to their small scale.  
We do recommend that you purchase a Gallatin National Forest Central map, as well as a Beaverhead/Deer Lodge Central Map.
The paper copies of the Forest Service free motor vehicle use maps are next to useless in figuring out where you are, but the online versions are great.  Some of these can be downloaded from the USFS district site for the area, or through the Avenza web site at avenzamaps.com for your iOS, Android, and Windows smart phones or tablets.  
It is up to you to decide which off road map program you would like to use.  We currently use BackCountry Navigator.  We have heard good things about the new Onx off road app.  Other friends use Gaia.  
In our third book: "...... WHAT MAP WILL IT BE
 
ALSO BE SURE TO LOOK AT THE VARIOUS MVUM (motor vehicle user maps) that are becoming available.  They are especially useful on a tablet or smart phone. 
 
You should also consider downloading some maps from www.avenza.com (http://www.avenza.com)as they have some terrific ones.

Question 13

What are the various off road and 4x4 clubs in Montana?

Accepted Answer

Listing of Montana Off-Road & 4x4 Clubs, thanks to Richard Hiltz of 
Montana Overland & 4x4 Adventures·Friday, August 11, 2017  
GREAT FALLS
Cascade County 4 Wheelers a 4x4 Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/180129495357107/(https://www.facebook.com/groups/180129495357107/)
BUTTE
Continental 4 Wheel Drive Association www.facebook.com/Continental-4-Wheel-Drive-Association-114850405209799/(http://www.facebook.com/Continental-4-Wheel-Drive-Association-114850405209799/)
LEWISTOWN
C'MON 4X4 CLUB https://www.facebook.com/groups/1668904380056969/(https://www.facebook.com/groups/1668904380056969/)
DILLON
NO LONGER ACTIVE: Beaverhead Backcountry Pioneers  
Southwestern Montana 4x4s and Hot Rods:  https://www.facebook.com.search/top/q/=southwestern%montana%204x4%27s@20and%20hot%20rods%&epa=searchbox(https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=southwestern%20montana%204x4%27s%20and%20hot%20rods&epa=SEARCH_BOX)
KALISPELL
Big Sky 4 Wheelers https://www.facebook.com/Big-Sky-4-Wheelers-165148236890316/
www.bigsky4wheelers.com
Flathead wheelers https://www.facebook.com/Flatheadwheelers/(https://www.facebook.com/Flatheadwheelers/)
BOZEMAN
Bozeman Mountaineers 4x4 Club https://www.facebook.com/bozeman.mountaineers/
Trail Riders Anonymous https://www.facebook.com/TrailRidersAnonymous/
406 Cruisers (a Toyota Club) 406 Cruisers is the ONLY brand specific club in this list. https://www.facebook.com/406cruisers/
 www.406cruisers.com(http://www.406cruisers.com)
HELENA
Frontier 4 Wheelers - a 4x4 Club https://www.facebook.com/Frontier4Wheelers/Montana Overland & 4x4 Adventures
https://www.facebook.com/montanaoverland4x4/
BILLINGS
Magic City 4x4 https://www.facebook.com/groups/102015127323/
Rimrock 4X4 INC https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rimrock4X4/(https://www.facebook.com/groups/Rimrock4X4/)
MISSOULA
Montana Back Roads 4x4 Club https://www.facebook.com/groups/1693893287557467/
www.montanabackroads.org(http://www.montanabackroads.org)
https://www.facebook.com/montanatoyotaoffroad/?hc_location=ufi(https://www.facebook.com/montanatoyotaoffroad/?hc_location=ufi)
AND one in Wyoming:
www.bighornmountaincrawlers.com(http://www.bighornmountaincrawlers.com)
https:/www.facebook.com/groups/7193300386157/about/(https://www.facebook.com/groups/719330038186157/about/)

Question 14

Where can I rent a 4x4 vehicle near Missoula?

Accepted Answer

Alamo                  406-543-0926   406-549-3355     200 West Broadway, Missoula
https://www.alamo.com/en_US/car-rental/locations/location-details/US/MSOC71-missoula-w-broadway.html(https://www.alamo.com/en_US/car-rental/locations/location-details/US/MSOC71-missoula-w-broadway.html)
Avis            406-549-4711
http://locations.avis.com/us/mt/missoula/mso.html(http://locations.avis.com/us/mt/missoula/mso.html)
Budget        406-543-7001
http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/home/home.ex(http://www.budget.com/budgetWeb/home/home.ex)
Dollar          406-542-2311      1905 W Broadway https://www.dollar.com/loc/ll/US/MT/Missoula/1905-West-Broadway(https://www.dollar.com/loc/ll/US/MT/Missoula/1905-West-Broadway)
Enterprise    406-721-1888     2188 W Broadway          
https://www.enterprise.com/en/car-rental/locations/us/mt.html(https://www.enterprise.com/en/car-rental/locations/us/mt.html)
Hertz           406-549-9511
http://hertzmissoula.com/(http://hertzmissoula.com/)
National       406-549-3355   2000 West Broadway
http://www.nationalcar.chttpsom/en_US/location-details/us/msoc01-missoula-w-broadway.html(https://www.nationalcar.com/en_US/location-details/us/msoc01-missoula-w-broadway.html)
Rent a Wreck    406-721-3838        1905 W Broadway Street        http://www.rentawreck.com/(http://www.rentawreck.com/)
Thrifty             406-549-2277                 3309 W Broadway
Or through Kayak.com(http://www.kayak.com)
Or   rentalcars.com (http://www.rentalcars.com)       both of these sites will do comparisons
BOZEMAN:  Alex Nelson of Rockymountainexpeditions.com (http://www.rockymountainexpeditions.com)rents Jeeps
406-539-9322

Question 15

Does Montana require off highway vehicle permits?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for anything similar to a quad or side by side, even tho they may be street legal with a license plate.  Montana requires an ohv to be registered by the country treasurer's office in the county where the owner resides.  This is a one time registration until the vehicle sells.
 
For non-residents there is a one year permit, for calendar year January 1 through December 31, which costs $27.  This allows OHV use on trails only, to be ridden on roads, you have to have a licensed vehicle.  The non-resident permit is waived for residents of Idaho and North Dakota.
 
stateparks.mtgov.recreation.ohvprogram.html      For more information(http://stateparks.mt.gov/recreation/ohvProgram.html?fbclid=IwAR3WTo4NstAmC4DZf80DXmeefnqvVPV2ijaNOT5Ecls_GpZpt3X2GCK7ccE)

Question 16

Can I take my dog on the trails?

Accepted Answer

Enter your answer here

Question 17

Are there other places where I can buy your books?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they are available many other places
 
They are also available at all these locations:  
 
Adventure Cycle, Dillon   683-2205
https://www.atv.com/dealers/adventure-cycle-and-sled-inc.-100283(https://www.atv.com/dealers/adventure-cycle-and-sled-inc.-100283)
Big Sky Off Road, Billings   652-5722
http://www.bigskyoffroad.com/(http://www.bigskyoffroad.com/)
Books and Books, Butte     782-9520
http://www.booksbutte.com/(http://www.booksbutte.com/)
The Book Exchange, Missoula   728-6342
https://www.booksmontana.com/(https://www.booksmontana.com/)
Blue Ribbon Auto, Missoula   543-0387
https://blueribbonauto.com/accessories/(https://blueribbonauto.com/accessories/)
The Book Store, Dillon   683-6807
https://www.dillonbookstore.com/(https://www.dillonbookstore.com/)
Fact and Fiction, Missoula   721-2881
https://www.factandfictionbooks.com/(https://www.factandfictionbooks.com/)
J & K Customs    541-2119
https://offroadmt.com/(https://offroadmt.com/)
Montana Auto and Fab, Helena   459-4847
https://montanafab.com/(https://montanafab.com/)
Montana Book Company, Helena   465-1939
https://mobook2.madebymodernfox.com/(https://mobook2.madebymodernfox.com/)
Mount Helena Motor Sports, Helena   443-7373
https://mthelenamotorsports.com/(https://mthelenamotorsports.com/)
Murdochs, Missoula    549-2355
https://www.murdochs.com/stores/missoula/(https://www.murdochs.com/stores/missoula/)
Mountain West Coop-Cenex, North Reserve, Missoula   543-8383
https://www.chsmountainwest.com/retail/retail-locations/(https://www.chsmountainwest.com/retail/retail-locations/)
Poet Motorcycles, Helena   457-8230
https://www.poetmotorcycles.net/(https://www.poetmotorcycles.net/)
Second Edition Books, Butte   723-5108
https://secondeditionbooksbutte.com/(https://secondeditionbooksbutte.com/)
Sportsman Motel, Melrose   835-2141
http://www.sportsmanmotel-melrose-mt.com/(http://www.sportsmanmotel-melrose-mt.com/)